Fall

43 Pear Recipes for Crumbles, Tarts, Salads, and More

Now is the time to roast them, poach them, and bake them into a cake.

October 19, 2020

An overhead shot of a rectangular maplepear tart on a sheet tray.

A perfect pear is a rare thing indeed, but once you have a few, you’ll need the best pear recipes to help them shine. These favorites from Epi highlight the delicate, floral flavor of all different types of pears. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing option to get you out of your salad rut, a savory bacon-laced side dish, or a grand, showstopping dessert, you’ll find a winner below.

Christina Holmes
1/43
Rice Pudding With Fresh Pears and Honey
We love that pear recipes can delight at every meal. This comforting rice pudding starts with bomba or arborio rice, simmered in whole milk until creamy and tender. Sure, it could be dessert, but it's excellent for breakfast, topped with pear slices, chopped pistachios, and a drizzle of honey.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele
2/43
Pear Pie With Lattice Crust
Just a small dusting of nutmeg and a squeeze of lemon to flavor this pie allows the sweetness of the pears to really shine.
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Photo by Bobbi Lin
3/43
Winter Slaw With Red Pears and Pumpkin Seeds
Pears add a touch of sweetness to this fall salad, which is made with jewel-toned shaved beets, bitter, crisp radicchio leaves, crunchy Brussels sprout leaves, and a fresh orange-laced dressing.
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Photo by Christopher Testani
4/43
Sautéed Pears With Bacon and Mustard Dressing
Pears and walnuts are delicious together; walnuts and bacon make total sense. When you combine them all, it's magic.
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Photo by JP Bevins, Food Styling by Molly Baz
5/43
3-Ingredient Caramel-Pear Galette
Fall desserts can be delightfully easy desserts, especially when you start with a frozen pie crust. Just toss pear slices in storebought caramel sauce
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
6/43
Escarole, Pear, Parmesan, and Basil Leaf Salad
Slices of sweet pears tame the bite of escarole in this crunchy salad. It's ideal for Thanksgiving, but works wonderfully alongside a pork chop, as well.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Bill Clark
7/43
Pear and Hazelnut Frangipane Tart
If you've never baked with frangipane before, it's time to start. The nutty mix comes together in a food processor, and no matter what nut you choose, it'll be delightful with pears. In this recipe, toasted hazelnuts meet Bosc or Anjou pears, glazed with a little apricot preserves for shine.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
8/43
Thanksgiving Sangria
The best fall sangria starts with pomegranate juice, fresh ginger, red wine, and sparkling cider. Thin slices of pear sit in the mix for 4 hours; you'll want to fish them out of your glass to eat every one.
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Photo by Charles Masters, food styling by Suzanne Lenzer
9/43
Maple-Pear Sheet Tart
This elegant pear dessert is truly easy to make, and only requires five ingredients. You'll roll out purchased puff pastry, pricking it then keeping it cold while you toss the pear slices in sugar. The pears go on top and it's baked until the crust is golden brown. Just before serving, brush on a touch of maple syrup.
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Hirsheimer & Hamilton
10/43
Cornmeal Crepes With Figs and Pears
Make these lacy cornmeal crepes in a 10" nonstick skillet, then fill with pears, fresh whipped cream, figs, and toasty pistachios.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
11/43
Spiced Hazelnut-Pear Cake With Chocolate Sauce
Wine-infused pears add a richness to this well-spiced holiday cake. It's drizzled with chocolate sauce for a stunning presentation.
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Photo by John Kernick
12/43
Pear Crisps With Vanilla Brown Butter
Vanilla-infused brown butter adds nuttiness to tender pears beneath a crisp almond topping.
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Photo by Christopher Testani
13/43
Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake
Pears deserve their turn in the upside-down cake spotlight. Here, they're coated in a pomegranate and orange syrup, then nestled into the walnut and cardamom-laced batter.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
14/43
Sheet-Pan Cider-Ricotta Pancakes With Pear Compote
A swirl of cinnamon-spiced pear compote runs through these protein-rich pancakes.
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